Ventilating-fastener.



n. M. DAVIS & T. J. UNDERWOODJ VENTILATING FASTENER.

APPLICATlON FILED APR. 29,1916.

1 ,QQ5, 31 1 4 Patented May 8, 1917.

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ATTORNEY.

DON M. DAVIS, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS,

AND THOMAS J. UNDEBWOOD, OF KANSAS CITY,

ZLVIISSOUBI.

VENTILATING-FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 8, 1917.

Application filed April 29, 1916. Serial No. 94,388.

To all "10 hom 51'; may concern:

Be it known that we, Don M. DAVIS and THOMAS J. Unnnnwoon, citizens of the United States, residing at Houston, in the county of Harris, State of Texas, and at Kansas City in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, respectively, have invent ed certain new and useful Improvements in Veiitilating-Fasteners, of which the following is a full and exact specification.

This invention relates generally to cushion constructions, formed of materlal such as is adapted to be fastened in tufted relation by means of devices secured at intervals in engagement with opposite s des of the cushion, and the object of this invention is to devise an improved tuft fastening device providing means of ventilation through the tufts. For attaining this end an improved fastener is provided having an opening therethrough and adapted to form the tuft by being passed through the cushion material into engagement with the opposite sides thereof so that a ventilating passage is thus provided through the cushion.

It is also sought to design a fastening device which is of simple and efficient construction, light in weight and cheap to manufacture.

lVith this general purpose in view, the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating one form of embodiment thereof, after which those features deemed to be novel will be set forth and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawing- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fastener used in the present construction;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the same;

Fig. 8 is a transverse section on the line III-J11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. f is a perspective view of a washer used in conjunction with the fastener;

Fig. 5, is a transverse section on the line VV of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a cush on structure showing the manner of applying the fastening means to produce a ventilated tuft.

Referring to the drawing lll detail, the fastening device employed 1n connection with the present construction comprises a staple member stamped out of suitable mediameter a barrel portion 10, and with the ventilating passage 12 extending entirely through the member. The barrel portion 10 extends partly along the legs 2 of the staple and between the same, and is provided with the exterior grooves 14 for accommodating said legs so that the outer faces of the latter lie flush with the outer face of the barrel 10. This arrai'igeinent permits the fastener to be inserted through the cushion material. until the head portion 8 is in engagement therewith and the staple legs may be spread away from said barrel portion 10, if necessary, iii clenching the opposite face of the cushion. A washer member 15 of the same interior as the barrel 10 is used for embracing the staple legs at the points where the latter are bent in clenching.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 6, this illustrates the manner in which the fastener is applied to a cushion to form a ventilated tuft therein. The cushion is shown as comprising a casing 16 of flexible material inclosing a filling 18 of hair or the like, and supported on spring elements 20 carried by the base 22 in the usual or any preferred manner. A tuft is formed by passing the staple legs 2 through the cushion layers 16, 18, until the head portion 8 is seated upon the outer face of the cushion. The washer 15 is then slipped over the staple legs and the cushion compressed tightly between said washer and the head of the fastener to form the desired depth of tuft, after which the projecting ends of the staple legs are spread outwardly to clench them flat against the washer and the under face of the cushion. Should the cushion material be pressed sufficiently to project the barrel 10 on through the cushion and washer, the grooves i i in said barrel will permit the staple legs to be spread at points above the end of said barrel, if necessary, in order to clench the projecting ends of the legs to the under face of the cushion.

The advantages of the construction above described will be apparent. For example, seats provided with cushions which have no ventilating means become very hot and disagreeable to the touch, and especially in hot climates, as in the Southern States, such cushions become most uncomfortable. By providing a means of ventilation in the simple manner above outlined, such heated conditions of the cushion structure are in a great measure overcome on account of the circulation of air generated by the pumping action Which is effected by the movements of the cushion. A cushion arrangement of this type is also more sanitary by virtue of the ventilating action afforded. The fastener employed is a neat, simple and inexpensive device for the purpose of producing a tuft of the desired character.

It will thus be seen that an efiicient arrangement and construction have been dethe preferred form of vised for carrying out the desired objects of the invention, and While the foregoing represents What is now believed to constitute embodiment of the invention, the right is reserved to such formal changes and modifications as may fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims:

1. A ventilating fastener comprising a staple provided With a ventilating opening through its head portion, and a head member molded to said head portion of the staple, said member providing a free air passage through said opening and having a barrel portion extending partly along the legs of the staple.

2. A ventilating fastener comprising a head member formed With a head portion and a barrel portion provided With a ventilating passage extending axially through said portions, said barrel portion being formed With grooves in the opposite sides thereof, and a pair of clenching prongs secured to said head portion and extending through said grooves and beyond the end of said barrel portion.

3. A ventilating fastener comprising a staple provided With a ventilating passage through its head portion, and a head member molded about said head portion to form an enlarged head portion and a barrel portion extending Within the legs of the staple and provided with exterior grooves for receiving said legs and permitting outward spreading thereof.

D. M. DAVIS. T. J. UNDERWOOD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

